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Come behind the scenes at The Friendly Fig for a #KitchenTour and see Bianca's kitchen in Rhode Island.
I love the window over our sink and glass sliding door that leads to our screened-in porch. Both let lots of light in and are my favorite part of cooking in the summer. Everything's better when the sun is shining and the windows are open!
Tell us about your kitchen?
Our kitchen isn’t too big, but it works for us at the moment. It’s just my husband and I (with a baby girl on the way) so I think we have a few more years until we outgrow it. It’s definitely the room we spend the most time in - whether we are cooking, hanging on the bar stools, or dancing! Lots of life in the kitchen.
What have you done to make your kitchen cosy, functional, beautiful or inspiring?
We made sure we painted the walls a light mascarpone color to keep it feeling bright and clean. I try to keep it as need as possible - since it is small, it feels better without any clutter on the counter, But, I did line the windowsill with a few of my favorite this and thats for a personal touch. One of my favorite additions was also a small portable speaker set so I can blast music while cooking or cleaning. For inspiration, I crafted a message on our blackboard hanging: “World peace begins in the kitchen.” This is my mantra as a plant-based chef and blogger.
How do you keep organized while cooking?
I always tidy as I go. Some people laugh when they see me cook - I take out all my ingredients and after each one is used, I put it back immediately. I like a clear countertop.
Any tips & tricks for organising your pantry, fridge and ingredients?
For my pantry, I use mason jars for all rice, grains, dry beans, lentils, etc. I label the tops - it saves me space and looks much cleaner. My husband thinks I am crazy with the fridge - I have to clean it out at the end of each week. I hate letting things sit in the back and be forgotten. I move ingredients with a closer expiration date to the front to make sure they are used before others. I’m definitely proud of how clean and clear my fridge and freezer are on the reg. Let’s hope I can keep this up once baby girl is here!
Do you do a lot of cooking and what are your favourite dishes to make?
Yes! Both my husband and I are both huge cooks. I cook vegan/plant-based, so I am constantly trying new ingredients and recipes to share on my blog, The Friendly Fig. Some of my go-to dishes include a wide variety of soups, sautéed greens, bean salad, tomato and cashew cheese pizza, and cookies. Always cookies! ;)
Where do you turn for new recipe ideas?
Pinterest is my best friend. I also love collecting cookbooks - they always serve as great inspiration. Even cookbooks that are not vegetarian or vegan! I love the challenge of veganizing recipes.
Do you plan out your recipes for the week or do you like to be spontaneous?
I used to plan more, but lately I have been a little more spontaneous. It also depends on the season. In the winter, I tend to stick to a list and grab all my ingredients on a Saturday and bulk cook on a Sunday to prep for the week. During the summers, I tend to just grab whatever is around or fresh. I don’t cook as much in the summer.
If you had three wishes, what would you do to make this your dream kitchen?
I love this question and wish these would come true immediately - haha! I would double the size of my kitchen, add an island with a second sink, and upgrade my stovetop to a nice large one.
Whose kitchen would you love to explore? Send us a message!
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